Month: December 2017

The Patriots didn’t play well Monday night. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick were visibly unhappy with what happened in Miami. But that only means they’ll go “on to Pittsburgh” with a clear focus. Nothing related to the Patriots’ bigger goal was lost against the Dolphins. Rob Gronkowski is back to wreak havoc on the Steelers like he always does. The Patriots will have their hands full with Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, but their depth, versatility and diversity will allow them to win an expected shootout, as Brady and Belichick will continue to have Mike Tomlin’s number.

The Patriots and Bills get their two meetings in a span of four weeks, unfortunate for a Buffalo team that will need help down the stretch to make the playoffs. The Bills have managed to beat the Patriots twice in the last four seasons and five meetings … and have lost their coach at the end of the season each time (Doug Marrone, Rex Ryan). Last year’s win, of course, was during Tom Brady’s suspension. That suspension is over.

Yet in some ways, Garoppolo wasn’t much better off than Trubisky upon joining the 49ers at midseason despite having three and a half years of NFL experience as a backup in New England.

Garoppolo might not even be starting today barring a leg injury suffered in Week 12 by rookie C.J. Beathard, who drew praise from Lynch for his efforts this season under trying circumstances on a rebuilding team.

A good (and rare) Thanksgiving rematch, with the Lions having won last year on a last-second field goal. The Lions have won four straight on their traditional Thanksgiving date, a little treat for those who are perpetually looking for a reason to fire Jim Caldwell. It’s a tall order to pull off this year with the way the Vikings are playing right now on both sides of the ball. Matthew Stafford’s Lions still have a habit of putting themselves in position to have to come back late; they can’t get away with that against this team.

The Saints and Panthers are even with an 8-3 record, but the Saints won earlier in Charlotte and can complete a season sweep next week in New Orleans. The Saints dominated the earlier game and will be favored to win next week.

Sean McVay is a lock for Coach of the Year — Even if the Rams don’t win another game this season, McVay will be the NFL’s Coach of the Year and deservingly so. The Rams will not have a losing season for the first time since 2006 and, with just one more victory, they will clinch their first winning season since 2003.

In a weak top of the draft, offensive lineman always rise. Taking a guard in the top five looks crazy, but the Redskins don’t seem to regret Brandon Scherff. The Broncos will likely look to free agency to find their quarterback.

The Bears need young talent on their defense, and James can find a role alongside Eddie Jackson in the defensive backfield. With James and Jackson, the Bears can begin to star their defensive rebuild.

Asked whether he had spoken to Mara, Manning responded, “He hadn’t been in today, but he knows what’s going on. I’ll probably try to speak with him tomorrow at some time.”

That’s far too late.

If the Giants can treat Manning — the face of the franchise, the two-time Super Bowl MVP, the guy who was universally respected by past and present teammates for his work ethic and leadership — like a nobody, why should any player believe the “family” narrative New York, like every NFL club, tries to spout in team-building?

Kayvon Webster, CB, Los Angeles Rams: Webster was carted off the field during the first quarter with what looked like a right ankle injury after grabbing at the ankle while down on the field. Webster missed time early in the season because of a shoulder injury and was knocked out of the Week 11 game against Minnesota with a concussion. The team declared him doubtful to return because of the injury, before downgrading him to out.

Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia — Chubb is big and strong and durable, and honestly with missing a year with a knee injury he was able to save some tread on his tires for when he inevitably gets a chance with an NFL team.

Riley Ferguson, QB, Memphis — Ferguson did his best to will the Tigers to an AAC Championship, and while it didn’t ultimately works as the Tigers fell to UCF 62-55 in double overtime, his numbers showed his effort. Ferguson went 30-of-42 passing for 471 yards and four touchdowns.

They’ve lost 11 of their past 12 and their splashy early-season move — essentially swapping venerable Kyle Turris for a younger, more talented center in Matt Duchene — isn’t panning out yet. Duchene’s stats in Ottawa: 14 games, two goals, two assists, a minus-11 rating. Join me for a resounding: woof.

I can’t blame them. Manning turns 37 on Jan. 3. By the time New York fixes the flawed roster Reese assembled, Manning’s best days likely would be over. Some would argue they already are.

With a high 2018 pick in the offing, starting fresh at quarterback makes sense during the pending rebuild. Even so, the way Manning’s demotion was handled reflects the systemic dysfunction inside the organization that began when McAdoo became head coach after Tom Coughlin was forced out after the 2015 season.

“We don’t actually practice that throw and catch in practice,” Ryan said with a laugh. “It’s the first time I’ve ever really seen it.

“Maybe it’s better they didn’t practice it so they don’t over-think it. Mo just launched it, and it was as good a throw as I’ve ever seen. That was a huge play for us.”

Credit coach Hue Jackson, much improved from what he was doing with his team earlier in the season, for realizing he had to get that talent on the field to help his young passer. It was a big step in the right direction for Jackson to simply stick with Kizer as the starter and take his lumps for several games without the fear of being benched.

Now that Kizer’s big arm is equipped with Gordon, Jackson’s team is bound to be rewarded with what what has eluded it all season — a victory.

The Angels’ combination of a promising core and a beautiful West Coast location may have appealed to the 23-year-old Ohtani, who has confounded baseball experts at almost every step of his move to North America as one of the most coveted free agents in years.

Jackson slams same old Kizer: The winless Browns continue to set new standards for disappointment, blowing a 21-7 lead against the Packers to lose in overtime. Key to the Packers’ revival was an overtime interception thrown by DeShone Kizer, his second of what had to that point been the best game of his young career.

Afterward coach Hue Jackson said: “The two picks, it’s still the same old, ‘If you turn the ball over, you’re going to lose'” Jackson is correct but, when players keeping the same mistakes, some of the blame has fall on a coach who has one win in nearly two seasons.

“He’s fun to be around,” Andre said of Bruce Ellington, who has 25 receptions for 294 yards and two touchdowns this season. “He’s a pleasure. I’m sure the guys love him out here and hopefully he can keep that personality going.”

San Antonio has managed to fare rather well without Leonard, going 19-8 and riding and four-game win streak into Dallas, including a 105-102 win over the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics.

At the end of the team’s Monday practice, reporters observed a sweat-soaked Leonard, a clear indication that he is certainly on the cusp of playing.

Regarding the Grizzlies talking with each other about the overall problems, Gasol said: “I don’t think talk does much. It’s doing. I always believe that talk is great, and we’re going to say the right things, and we can sit down and sing `Kumbaya,’ but it’s more about grabbing it and taking ownership of the things we have to do.”

“I am embarrassed by the situation and my actions on Saturday,” McDowell wrote in a statement posted to Twitter. “I would like to apologize to the Atlanta Police Department, SL Lounge, the entire Seattle Seahawks organization and my teammates. I am a young man who made a mistake and am constantly working towards getting better.”

The Seahawks had no immediate comment on McDowell’s arrest when news of it broke just before kickoff of their game Sunday at Jacksonville. Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that he and general manager John Schneider met separately with McDowell since the incident and that McDowell is “very remorseful.”

It was a 180 from the Ravens game. In a hostile environment, in prime time, with Rodgers looking on, Hundley nearly pulled off the upset of the year. Three touchdowns, no interceptions, 245 yards, a stunning game-tying touchdown drive with two minutes to go, all in response to a seemingly game-breaking Steelers touchdown.

“Media is one of the major pillars for us now,” said Brian Angiolet, the company’s global chief media and content officer. “And sports is going to be the most important part of that content.”

For the NFL, the deal gives the league greater distribution as people shift their viewing habits, said Hans Schroeder, chief operating officer of NFL media and business.

“This model allows our product to be much more broadly available and give greater access to our fans,” Schroeder said. “People are still going to gravitate towards watching games on the best screen possible, which is television, but for people who are on-the-go and younger fans, this deal makes sense.”

Most importantly, he’s 1-4 as a starter this season around the work of injured rookie Deshaun Watson (3-3).

Houston is a long shot for the AFC playoffs as it continues to struggle with injuries and, in the case of Savage, QB play that isn’t much worth talking about.

UPDATE: Savage met with reporters at his locker after his exit. KRIV-TV sports director Mark Berman tweeted out a quote:

Tom Savage: “I’m really frustrated to be honest with you. There’s really no words for it. I don’t want to go out there and throw picks. That’s not my goal. I’m going out there trying to make a play.”

Wesley Woodyard’s response when told Tennessee now has its first four-game winning streak since 2009?

Sanu makes unreal TD grabMatt Ryan lofts one up to Mohamed Sanu and the receiver controls the ball with his right hand before bringing it into his body to add to Atlanta’s lead.

NBC apparently reconsidered those downsides. Its statement last week touted the idea of SkyCam being the primary viewing angle as innovative.

“We are excited to present a game with the majority of live-action coverage coming from SkyCam,” Gaudelli said. “After pivoting out of necessity to SkyCam in the New England fog, we’ve been aggressively planning and testing with the intent of utilizing the system for a full game.

Larry Fitzgerald moved into fifth place in career receiving yards, another milestone in another loss in what is becoming a lost season for the future Hall of Famer.

If the Bills lose this week in Kansas City, you might as well stick a fork in their playoff hopes.

After winning in Denver for the first time in more than 40 years, the Bengals play host to the winless Browns as they try to keep alive their playoff aspirations.

The Bucs beat the struggling Dolphins, but they won’t have Jameis Winston for a third straight game when they play the Falcons in a key NFC South matchup.

“Our goal is to storm the South,” said Woodyard, echoing a Titans team mantra. “That’s what we’re heading out to do.”

Anaheim’s goaltending has been a big factor in recent games. Goaltender John Gibson posted a 50-save performance to beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 at home Sunday night.

NBC’s decision to use the SkyCam view as the primary camera angle for Thursday night’s Steelers-Titans game came as a bit of a surprise.

Shaking off a slow start in Dallas, the Eagles crushed the Cowboys and have a healthy four-game lead in the NFC East with only six games remaining.

The Patriots are well on their way to a ninth straight AFC East title.

If the 49ers find significant flaws they didn’t recognize from Garoppolo having such limited playing time, a one-year commitment under the franchise designation may make more sense. Just ask the Houston Texans, who were burned in 2016 by making a bad talent assessment on Brock Osweiler when signing him away from Denver.

After Week 5 this season, everything was looking great as usual in Green Bay, as Rodgers had just delivered another big win in Dallas. The team was 4-1, humming along toward its ninth consecutive trip to the playoffs. Then Rodgers went down with his broken collarbone in Week 6, and everything changed.

In the four games since, with hopes of Hundley becoming an efficient caretaker dashed, Green Bay’s glaring weaknesses have been fully exposed.

Former NFL wide receiver Terry Glenn died Monday after a one-vehicle rollover accident near Dallas that left his fiancée slightly injured, officials said. He was 43.

Glenn died shortly before 1 a.m. at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, according to the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office. Irving (Texas) police are investigating the cause of the wreck at 12:18 a.m. on eastbound Highway 114, said Chelsey Jones, a police department spokeswoman.

Seemingly every Laker who played meaningful minutes contributed. While this win over a lowly team might not matter much in the big picture, it’s one that could go a long way for a roster full of young players still very much coming together and learning nightly lessons on what it takes to win. In the fourth quarter, it was easy to see how much focus and fight the Lakers had and how well they all played together.

“It kind of comes in waves for me,” said Spytek, who joined Tampa Bay in the 2016 offseason. “There are times I feel wonderful about it and know it’s a blessing to be able to try and move the needle to help other people. But it’s emotionally challenging a lot of the time because it’s a constant reminder that Evelyn had CMV and we lost her because of it.

Former team president John Hart was moved to a senior adviser role when a new general manager, Alex Anthopoulos, was hired on Nov. 13. Hart left the team on Friday.

“The senior baseball operations officials responsible for the misconduct are no longer employed by the Braves,” Manfred said. He also said the Braves “cooperated throughout the investigation.”

The Chiefs were simply hoping to get lucky on the final play of the first half against the Cowboys, but Tyreek Hill took a short dump-off pass from Alex Smith and weaved his way through a soft Dallas defense for a 56-yard touchdown. The Chiefs were unable to carry the momentum into the second half as the Cowboys pulled away for a 28-17 win.

Coppolella, a magna cum laude graduate of Notre Dame in business management, was hired by the New York Yankees as a baseball operations assistant in 2000. He spent seven years with the Yankees, including time as assistant director of pro scouting.

He was credited with helping to improve the Braves’ farm system, which was rated No. 1 this year by Baseball America.

Saints coach Sean Payton on Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans hitting Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore near the sideline between plays: “If there’s not an ejection in that situation then I don’t know when there’s supposed to be an ejection.”

Giants safety Landon Collins on the blowout loss to the Rams: “I would definitely use the word embarrassing.”

“It is always nice to get a win like that first off, but anytime you get to go out and compete and you look to your right and your left and everybody on the team is competing just as hard as you, it is always going to be fun out there,” said Ball, whose first 18 NBA games has been filled with roller coaster-like dips and climbs. “It makes it a lot better when we win.”

The Lakers (8-10) have won two straight for the second time this season. A major component in this Lakers’ winning streak has been Ball’s relentless rebounding. Assistant coach Brian Shaw suggested that Ball focus on hitting the glass because when he rebounds, he has the ball in his hands quicker, he’s playing more aggressively, moving and pushing the pace and it seems to ignite the rest of his game.